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Message |
    
NJguy99
Citizen
Username: Njguy99
Post Number: 13
Registered: 3-2006
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 25, 2006 - 11:52 am: | 
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Adding to the ongoing saga of buying a house...
I'm trapped in a debate with the seller over whether a certain area of chipped and peeling paint along the fascia boards is a symptom of dry rot or just chipped and peeling paint.
My home inspector says it might be, or might not - but didn't bring a ladder and didn't check the spot with a pick to see for sure. (My $570, I'm learning, was well spent on the interior but on the exterior, not so much.)
I don't have a ladder that tall, and neither does the seller.
Who can I call who will be able to go up there and settle this once and for all? A painter? A handyman?
I don't need anything done with it - just a confirmation that it is or isn't dry rot. And I really don't want to spend a fortune to be sure.
Any ideas? |
NJguy99
Citizen
Username: Njguy99
Post Number: 24
Registered: 3-2006
| | Posted on Friday, April 28, 2006 - 11:55 am: |
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Bump... |
upondaroof
Citizen
Username: Upondaroof
Post Number: 661
Registered: 4-2003
| | Posted on Friday, April 28, 2006 - 12:21 pm: |
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Why not rent a ladder and check it out yourself?
Any one you get to look at it is going to charge at least an hour's labor and unless they also carry E & O coverage, they might not want to put anything in writing as to the condition of the wood. |
NJguy99
Citizen
Username: Njguy99
Post Number: 25
Registered: 3-2006
| | Posted on Friday, April 28, 2006 - 12:32 pm: |
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Where can I rent a ladder that tall from - and how do I get it home with me? (I've got a tiny Honda Civic).
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Lizziecat
Citizen
Username: Lizziecat
Post Number: 1185
Registered: 5-2003
| | Posted on Friday, April 28, 2006 - 12:48 pm: |
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According to my favorite home inspector, dry rot is a misnomer. Wood rots because it is wet, not from dryness. It would have been more accurate for the inspector to say that there was possible damage to the wood in that area, and that it might need further evaluation. |
TomR
Citizen
Username: Tomr
Post Number: 1068
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Friday, April 28, 2006 - 12:48 pm: |
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How big of a ladder do you need?
TomR |
NJguy99
Citizen
Username: Njguy99
Post Number: 26
Registered: 3-2006
| | Posted on Friday, April 28, 2006 - 1:42 pm: |
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The roofline is probably...oh, 35-40 feet. Two stories with 10' ceilings, plus a fairly tall attic. So I'd need a ladder somewhere in that range... |
TomR
Citizen
Username: Tomr
Post Number: 1069
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Friday, April 28, 2006 - 3:00 pm: |
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Sorry, I don't have a ladder long enough for your needs.
Hope all goes well for you. Its a good place to live.
TomR |
Bob K
Supporter
Username: Bobk
Post Number: 11349
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, April 29, 2006 - 3:54 pm: |
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Where is the peeling paint and why did the inspector think it might be rot? If it is up on or near the facia board or sofit it may be because of water leaking in under the shingles because of ice dams during the winter. If it is on a bathroom wall it is probably because of the lack of a vapor barrier allowing moisture to leak out to the claps or shingles from high humidity in the bathroom (we had this problem in our first house).
In general peeling paint on old houses is about as common as dandalions in spring, so it may well not be a major problem.
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NJguy99
Citizen
Username: Njguy99
Post Number: 28
Registered: 3-2006
| | Posted on Saturday, April 29, 2006 - 8:00 pm: |
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The peeling paint is along the facia board, and may have been the result of ice dams. We don't quite know - and we also don't know the condition of the wood in that area because it is a good 35-40 feet in the air.
This is an area of particular concern because the rest of the house is perfectly painted. If all the paint was in this condition, that's one thing - but this was something very localized. |
Travis
Citizen
Username: Travis
Post Number: 406
Registered: 6-2004
| | Posted on Saturday, April 29, 2006 - 9:22 pm: |
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Just out of curiosity, is there a chimney in the area?
A flashing failure might explain the localized damage. |
Bob K
Supporter
Username: Bobk
Post Number: 11354
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, April 30, 2006 - 5:03 am: |
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OK, now we are getting someplace. If the fascia boards and sofits are peeling and the condition has been going on for years their is a possibility that the fascia and sofits may have to be replaced. The worst case is that the rafter ends have also rotted and have to be repaired, usually by sistering on another piece. This can run a fair amount of money.
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NJguy99
Citizen
Username: Njguy99
Post Number: 29
Registered: 3-2006
| | Posted on Sunday, April 30, 2006 - 9:17 am: |
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Exactly why I wanted someone to come take a look. 
I don't know if this is a recent condition, if it's been around for a while, or if it means nothing.
Luckilly, a roofer is coming out on Monday to take a look. Should know then... |
NJguy99
Citizen
Username: Njguy99
Post Number: 30
Registered: 3-2006
| | Posted on Monday, May 1, 2006 - 12:10 pm: |
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Here's an update:
Today, a roofer came out. Turns out the exterior paint chipping is just that - paint chipping.
BUT - the problems are actually much worse.
The fascia board behind the gutters is shot - literally crumbling in your hands. He took pictures for us. It's pretty scary. (photo below - and yes those are styrofoam peanuts. Don't even ask...)
You can't see it from the ground, but they never installed edging when they put on the new roof - so the plywood is literally poking out. Can't wait until that gets wet and starts falling apart, and the roof falls in.
And they didn't properly flash the chimney. Can't see that from the ground either. (photo below)
Estimate for repair: another $3k. We're asking the seller to credit us, or we're walking.
Boy, I'm glad I had someone come out and really look at this.
Which begs the question: who's the best roofer in the area?
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